Paths Not Taken: Fates of Theology from Luther through Leibniz [Paperback]

Paul R. Hinlicky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2009

In this book Paul Hinlicky suggests that — to the detriment of the church as a whole — Martin Luther’s legacy did not unfold as he himself would have hoped or expected. Paths Not Taken analyzes the unhappy fate of theology in the tradition of Luther through the pivotal early modern theological philosopher Gottfried Leibniz. Through this lens Hinlicky shows how the twofold intention of reforming the Church according to the gospel and providing a Christian philosophy of culture for a renewed Christendom diverged along the way. / In his conclusion Hinlicky considers three outstanding contemporary representatives of theology in Luther’s tradition — Pannenberg, J�ngel, and Jenson — and settles on a path to be taken by Lutheran theology after Christendom and after modernity.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul R. Hinlicky is Tise Professor of Lutheran Studies at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia and a Docent of the Protestant Theological Faculty of Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (August 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802845711
• ISBN-13: 978-0802845719
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,612,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take This Path, November 19, 2010

By 

Jonathan (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paths Not Taken: Fates of Theology from Luther through Leibniz (Paperback)

What happened to Lutheran theology on its journey to the present day? Hinlicky traces the path from Luther and Melanchthon to Leibniz, an early modern theologian who pioneered "the road not taken" through the "wasteland" of Kant.

This is a "must read" for those who pay attention to contemporary theologians such as Robert W. Jenson. It filled in many conceptual and historical "holes" in my knowledge of theology. Even more important are his fresh insights that illuminate the way forward.

Yes, it's challenging reading for a parish pastor, but I couldn't put it down.